Passage of the Day - February 7, 2011

Acts 23:12-22

 ¹²When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

 ¹³There were more than forty who formed this plot.

 ¹⁴They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.

 ¹⁵"Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place."

 ¹⁶But the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul.

 ¹⁷Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, "Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him."

 ¹⁸So he took him and led him to the commander and said, "Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you."

 ¹⁹The commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, "What is it that you have to report to me?"

 ²⁰And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him.

 ²¹"So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you."

 ²²So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, "Tell no one that you have notified me of these things."

Paul’s nephew was placed by God in the right place at the right time in order to help protect Paul until his mission was completed.  Mere coincidence?  I think not.  Have things like this happened to us?  Have you been on the receiving end of fortunate circumstances that have protected you from some form of harm?  Instead of chalking it up to coincidence or a benevolent act of our guardian angel, we should view it as an act of God for a purpose.  We must always remember that God has a purpose for our lives and he paves the path for us to follow even if we don’t know the destination.  Let us be thankful and remain faithful to this truth and ask forgiveness if we haven’t.  This is a great passage for me to bring back Passage of the Day after a short hiatus.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)